How much to budget for new landscaping install – Arizona Landscaping

June 30th, 2010

Sure, I love the design, beautiful. We could have installed this month, great! It will add value to my home, awesome! How much should I budget for beautiful, great and awesome? The question you need to ask yourself what you are trying to achieve with your new landscape project. If you are looking for some rocks, a few trees and some pavers, than your goals should be to find the best value for a great price. Yet, if you are looking for a custom landscape design that takes into consideration irrigation, functionality, maintenance, lighting and unique features than your first consideration is finding a landscape company with a proven process, managed effectively and best-of-breed designers. You know the difference when you drive through a neighborhood…same..same…than WOW! That is a beautiful landscape! Alexon Design is in the business of WOW Landscapes. Those types of projects are achieved by great designs and experienced project managers. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Arizona Landscaping Newsletter – Arizona Landscaping

June 10th, 2010

Alexon Design Group would like to wish all of the DADS out there a Happy Father’s Day! And to my dad; I miss you every day!!

As it starts to heat up here in the Valley, we need shade to keep us cool. Alexon Design can provide a variety of different shade structures that will be affordable and make a huge impact in your backyard. Our shade structures can be built within existing backyard landscapes. Call for a free estimate.

Tile Roof Gazebo with Stacked Stone
Tile Roof Gazebo with Stacked Stone
Alumi-Lattice Structure with Masonry Pillars
Alumi-Lattice Structure with Masonry Pillars


Average Temps and Rainfall for the month of June

  • Average high temperature: 103
  • Average low temperature: 72
  • Warmest ever: 122
  • Coldest ever: 50
  • Average precipitation: .1

Desert Garden – Monthly Do List for June
GrassGrass

  • Plant your Bermuda lawns if you haven’t already.
  • Apply iron to your lawn once per month.
  • If it’s time to dethatch, do it during the active growing season, May through August. Dethatch every two or three years to rejuvenate the grass.

TreeTrees/Shrubs

  • Apply mulch to the ground around heat sensitive plants to keep the roots cooler and prevent evaporation.
  • Heat tolerant plants can be planted right through the summer months. They will need to be watered on a regular basis until fall.
  • Transplant palms, mesquites, palo verdes, and other arid shrubs and trees in the heat of the summer for best results.
  • Prune bougainvillea and lantana to stimulate growth and blooms.
  • Transplant hibiscus. Fertilize hibiscus and palms with palm tree food and keep watered. For established hibiscus, prune back about one-third of the new growth.

FlowersFlowers

  • Cut back on fertilizing established roses to encourage plants to slow down for the hot summer.
  • Water roses deeply as temperatures rise.
  • Hose off roses in the early morning to increase humidity and control spider mites.
  • Flowers for summer color include: celosia, coreopsis, cosmos, gazanias, globe amaranth, portulaca, zinnia, salvia, vinca (periwinkle), gomphorena and verbena.
  • Flowerbeds will need irrigation every other day through the summer.
  • Use ammonium phosphate in flower beds to increase and keep flowers blooming.
  • Stake taller flowers to prevent damage from summer winds.


VeggiesVegetables

  • Plant seeds for cucumbers, squash, cantaloupe, muskmelon
  • Plant transplants: sweet potatoes
  • Keep plants moist. Wilted leaves in the morning are a sign of moisture stress. Late afternoon wilting may be heat stress.
  • Use sunscreens that offer no more than 50% sun reduction.
  • As your melons come in, place a board beneath them. This will keep them off the moist soil and prevent insects from attacking them.
  • Begin harvesting onions and garlic.

Desert Garden – Monthly DON’T List for May

  1. Don’t over water. Yes, it’s very hot in the desert in June, so it might seem like watering more is the answer. Not necessarily true. Water slowly (prevents run off), deeply (use a soil probe or a long handled screwdriver to check that the water is penetrating 2-3 ft. deep for trees and shrubs, and 1- 1 1/2 ft. deep for turf & flowers), and infrequently (let the soil dry between watering).
  2. Do not prune citrus during the summer.
  3. Don’t shade corn, squash, melons, black-eyed peas, okra, or grapes.
  4. Don’t add fertilizer to dry soil. If you apply dry fertilizer on dry soil and water it in, the fertilizer is carried toward the roots as a concentrated solution and will burn them. Always water first, then apply fertilizers to moist soils, and then continue with the rest of the water.

Featured Design – A Timeless Classic
Location: DC Ranch, Scottsdale, AZ
Designers:TJ Wilcoxson & Darren Tamburrelli

A Timeless ClassicThis new home in north Scottsdale was a real treat to work on. The front courtyard was intended to make a huge impact for guests as they enter the home. It also acts as “Happy Hour” time in the evenings. The backyard is A Timeless Classicjust like a resort destination. The use of space was critical, and enhanced with several different seating areas. The water features and synthetic turf help to soften the hardscape of travertine and stacked stone.

To renovate your backyard, call the office at 480.699.7796.

See more of this property: Click Here

Arizona Landscaping Ideas

June 8th, 2010

Most of you may not get super excited about landscaping on a daily basis like we do until you see an amazing front or backyard that really blows your socks off.  Or…maybe you are channel surfing and come across a home design show which showcases amazing backyards.  All of a sudden, you start dreaming of palm trees, water features, colorful plants and travertine dancing in your head.

Unfortunately, most of us don’t have the time or resources to pull off a big project on the weekends.  Feel free to visit Alexon Designs gallery to pull together your Arizona landscaping ideas.  Visit lots of websites and actual homes and make notes of what you are looking for in a new landscape project.  Once you have idea of what you are looking for please give us a call.

Alexon Design
480-699-7796

Landscaping and your HOA – Arizona Landscaping

June 4th, 2010

Do you have an Home Owners Association (HOA) and thinking about upgrading or installing a new landscape design?  One of the most important things you can do before calling a landscape contractor is to understand the regulations from your HOA.  The last thing you want to happen is making an investment to your home which is outside of the guidelines of your neighborhood’s HOA.  An experienced landscape contractor should ask you upfront if you could provide them with the HOA’s landscape guidelines before working on a new design.

If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call…an Arizona Landscape Company!

Alexon Design – 480-699-7796

Arizona Landscaping Newsletter – May 2010

May 5th, 2010

The month of May means we are heating up here in the Valley. And that means you need a high pressure mist system installed! Alexon Design can help you with this. Call

480.699.7796

for a free estimate on our mist and fog systems.

Average Temps and Rainfall for the month of May

  • Average high temperature: 93
  • Average low temperature: 64
  • Warmest ever: 113
  • Coldest ever: 40
  • Average precipitation: .1
Desert Garden – Monthly Do List for May
GrassGrass

  • Plant Bermuda lawns when soil warms up in early May.
  • Fertilize Bermuda grass lawns each month beginning late April or early May.
  • Mow your lawn down to half of an inch until the winter rye grass dies.
  • This encourages new growth and is healthy for the Bermuda lawn.
  • Every few years your lawn will need to be dethatched
  • When temperatures get regularly to triple digits, daily watering is in order. However lawns can survive when watered properly on every other day cycles. This will keep your water bill down.
  • Water grass early in the morning or at dusk to minimize evaporation of the water during the hot part of the day. We recommend 6:00 AM for watering lawns.

TreeTrees/Shrubs

  • Plant young citrus trees. Two to five year old trees transplant most successfully. If real young trees are planted, don’t expect fruit your first January.
  • Water deciduous fruit trees on 7 to 10 day deep-water cycle for the summer. Resulting fruit will be larger.
  • For newly planted trees, protect trunk from sunburn.
  • Stake newer trees to protect them from summer wind storms.
  • Transplant cactus plants in May.
  • Increase water to shrubs as the weather warms.
  • Don’t water the Bougainvillea too much. You’ll get bigger leaves and fewer flowers.

FlowersFlowers

  • Fertilize established roses at two week intervals.
  • Remove petunias, pansies, geraniums. Plant summer flowers, such as Lantana, Vinca, Verbena, Portulaca, Gomphorena purple buddy, and Perslane.
  • Flowers will benefit from a rich soil mixture of compost.


VeggiesVegetables

  • Plant seeds for black eyed peas, cantaloupe, muskmelon, squash, okra.
  • Plant transplants for Jerusalem artichokes, sweet potatoes
  • Provide shade for tomatoes. Shade cloth with 50% reduction is recommended.
  • Vegetables will benefit from a rich soil mixture of compost.

Desert Garden – Monthly DON’T List for May

  1. Do not prune citrus except to remove dead or damaged wood and branches obstructing pathways, views, or structures.
  2. Do not use pre-emergent herbicides in an area where you intend to plant seeds.
  3. Spot treat pest problems.
  4. Do not use spray watering systems in the hottest months in the desert. Drip is better and won’t cause leaves, flowers, or vegetables to burn. Don’t water the grass during the hotter part of the day.

Featured Design – Old Mission Style in Arcadia
Location: Phoenix, AZ Arcadia District
Style: Old Mission
Designers:Marc Olsen, TJ Wilcoxson, & Tracy Hosobe

Old Mission Style
Old Mission Style

The “Old-Catholic Mission Style” fireplace is the focal point of this beautiful renovation in Phoenix. The lap-style pool is complimented with a sun deck, water features spilling out of natural stoned walls, and Marbella stone decking. The outdoor kitchen separates the pool area from the cozy outdoor dining area.

Old Mission Style
Old Mission Style

The hardscape materials were softened nicely with desert plants and trees, along with some nice low lit lighting to enjoy in the evenings.

To renovate your backyard, call the office at: 480.699.7796

See more of this property: Click Here

Swimming Pool Landscaping – Arizona Landscaping

April 13th, 2010

What came first…the swimming pool or the landscape? Many of the homes today in Arizona seem to have swimming pools built the same time as the home.  Yet, there are many people who are having their first swimming pool built into a vacant or existing backyard landscape.  Of course if you are going to invest in a swimming pool, you also want an eye pleasing and manageable landscape to compliment the new swimming pool.

There are many questions you must ask yourself before adding a large water feature (cool landscape speak for swimming pool) to your backyard. First…design. Should I have grass? What types of materials, colors and plants will accent this new investment? How do I incorporate a safety fence into the design?  Second…management.  How much additional time do I want dedicate or money spent on mowing, trimming and maintaining the landscape on top of keeping my swimming pool clean and running properly?  Third…Investment protection.  What kinds plants or materials surrounding my swimming pool could contribute to pool damage?

We hope this post has given you some things to consider yet we have the answers.  Please let us know how we could help design and install a new landscape with your new swimming pool.

Alexon Design
480-669-7796

Summer Around the Corner – Arizona Landscaping

April 6th, 2010

Arizona is a beautiful state and a great place to live, especially during the winter and spring months with blue skies and cooler temperatures. Now that the temperatures are slowing rising, you might be starting to think about summer grass, landscaping projects around your home, pulling weeds or redesigning your backyard.

There is a great article at Phoenixtropicals.com which discusses the selection, growing and maintaining of Rye and Bermuda lawns here in Arizona. If you are thinking about adding a new lawn or a new landscape design, please give us a call. We would love to provide a custom design which matches your needs around aesthetics and functionality.

Alexon Design 480.699.7796

Hiring a Landscape Contractor

March 5th, 2009

Three years ago we had a construction boom that made us contractors feel like we had struck gold, or won the lottery. I remember then telling my team, that this would not last, and that the “contractors that took care of their clients, would still be around after the smoke had settled.” Well the smoke has definitely settled. And unfortunately, we have lost quite a few contractors here in the valley. These economic times have really put a strain on all of us, and especially the people in the construction industry.

But here at Alexon Design, we like to say that the glass that is almost empty, is still half full. And we will continue to stay positive. There’s no doubt that we have had to adapt to the economic times, but we have continued to stay busy by being passionate about what we do, being honest with our clients, and installing quality landscapes in the greater Phoenix area.

When hiring a landscaping contractor, there are just five, but very important questions you need to ask your contractor, and ask yourself.

1.) We ask this question a lot to our clients when they call in. “How did you hear about us? Well ask yourself, how you heard about the contractor you are interviewing. Seriously, the source of that recommendation means a lot. Was it a family member? a friend? A co-worker that you find to be a knwledgable person? These sources are pretty credible. What if it was a neighbor that you don’t know very well. Or a co-worker that you have nothing in common with. These might not be credible sources.

2.) After your first interview with a possible contractor, ask yourself if you think that person / company is capable, experienced, and trustworthy. Ask  yourself if you like that person, or at least feel comfortable with that person. Your first reaction is usually the right reaction.

3.) If you can say yes to above, you can then move on to ask for referrals, and to see their work. If the contractor will not take you to at least a couple of residences, that will tell you a lot about their quality of work, or their ability to build relationships.

The next two questions are my favorite to ask. One to ask your contractor, and one to ask yourself,

4.) This will work whether your asking a sales / designer, or the owner of the company. “What is the name of the foreman that will be doing my project? What is the name of your superintendant?” Pay very close attention to their reaction and answer. If it is not quick, clear, and precise, have some reservations. The reason I bring this up is because I used to work for a seemingly successful company here in the valley. I worked there for 17 months and we went through 12 supers, and 5 crews. Our construction team was like a revolving door. It was like every other week was the “landscape trading deadline”. Meanwhile I had new construction starting with crews that we had no idea of their capabilities or work ethic. How would you like to sign a $30,000.00 landscape contract, and have a “rookie” crew show up to do the project?

5.) While remaining realistic… If budget wasn’t a concern,ask yourself which contractor you would rather do your project. If that contractor is a little over budget, let him know and give him a chance to work with you. If that contractor has passed the previous tests, let the contractor know. Because if that contractor is anything like us at Alexon Design, he / she will work with you and your budget. And you can sleep at night knowing that your recent landscaping investment was not a risky one.

And always check the Registrar of Contractors (ROC) about their business record. Any complaints should always throw up a red flag.

We hope you contact us for your landscaping needs, and if not, we wish you luck on your landscaping project.

Thank you,

TJ Wilcoxson
Alexon Design and Landscaping

Travertine Pavers – Arizona Landscaping

January 27th, 2009

chiseled-travertine2

Travertine pavers have really hit the Arizona landscaping scene! They are a great alternative to standard acrylic decking, and are much cooler than concrete pavers. For more info on travertine pavers, go to www.alexondesign.com.